"LIGHTNING KILLS, PLAY IT SAFE"
NOAA and WUSA’s Washington Freedom Campaign To Alert Public

The
official start of summer this week heralds the peak season for a deadly
and yet dangerously misunderstood weather phenomena – lightning.
In an effort to save lives, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS)
and Olympic Medalist Siri Mullinix, goalkeeper for the Women’s
United Soccer Association’s (WUSA) Washington Freedom, are campaigning
to alert the Nation to the dangers of lightning.

The
campaign runs year round and kicks off during the nationwide Lightning
Awareness Week (June 22-28). Officials said the campaign’s theme,
“Lightning Kills, Play It Safe,” sends a strong, clear message.

“Lightning
is an underrated killer, claiming more lives each year than tornadoes
or hurricanes,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad
C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and
atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “Little league coaches, parents
and all outdoors enthusiasts should take a lesson from the pros. If
the Washington Freedom can postpone play when lightning threatens so
can we.”

Mullinix
is featured in a national television public service announcement (PSA)
that will air on stations around the country, as well as on safety posters
designed for schools, stadiums and sporting goods stores.

Mullinix
noted, “When lightning threatens a WUSA soccer game, play is called
until the danger passes. If lightning threatens you, head indoors. Don’t
get caught in striking distance!” The Mullinix PSA is also being
shown during games on the RFK Stadium JumboTron, located in Washington,
D.C.

Lightning
casualties occur year-round, although the summer months are the most
dangerous. Overall, 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes occur
in the United States each year. From 1971 to 2000, lightning strikes
killed an average of 73 people each year – compared with 68 tornado
fatalities and 16 hurricane deaths.

“All
thunderstorms have the potential to produce lightning, so it’s
up to all of us to heed the warnings,” Lautenbacher said. “The
bottom line is lightning can strike up to ten miles away from a thunderstorm,
so if you hear thunder it’s time to take a break for safety’s
sake.”

The
NOAA National Weather Service is the primary source for weather data,
forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. The
NOAA National Weather Service operates the most advanced weather and
flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives
and property and enhance the national economy.

NOAA
is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through
the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and
providing environmental stewardship of the nation’s coastal and
marine resources. NOAA is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

NOTE
TO MEDIA: Copies of the lightning PSA, featuring Siri Mullinix,
are available from Video Transfer, (301) 881-0270. The PSA is also available
for TV stations from NOAA Public Affairs at (301) 713-0622.